| Booking travel online is big business these days | | | | Booking travel online at travel web sites usually |
| and on the plus side puts a lot of power in the | | | | involves a service fee. In most instances it's not |
| hands of the consumer to reserve their own | | | | outrageous and is usually around $5 per ticket or |
| travel arrangements. But it's critical you know 5 | | | | booking. Recently, I've seen some fees nudging up |
| things to get the best deal and discount available. | | | | around $20 and there's no need to pay that |
| So before you begin your travel research and | | | | much. But the fees to be aware of are transfer |
| booking online read this article. | | | | fees when you change itinerary or cancel. It can |
| ALL TRAVEL WEB SITES ARE NOT CREATED | | | | cost you $100 or more to change after you've |
| EQUAL | | | | booked a flight. And if you want a refund, then it |
| When booking travel online they're two types you | | | | can be very frustrating, as you'll likely spend hours |
| can use: the traditional travel web sites such as | | | | on the phone to get to somebody who can |
| Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity, and what are | | | | authorize it. |
| being called these days Travel Search Engines, | | | | The travel search engines make money from paid |
| which include SideStep and Kayak. | | | | advertising and a referral fee from the airlines or |
| The main difference is in the search capability. A | | | | hotels, so usually you don't pay a fee when using |
| travel web site like Orbitz only searches its own | | | | them to book. But this is changing so always |
| database of available flights, hotel rooms, and car | | | | check for fee disclosure before booking. |
| rentals. So the search is restrictive. But you'll get | | | | Generally, the fees should never be hidden from |
| more search features and booking travel services | | | | you, but in a rush to book you may easily |
| offered at these sites. | | | | overlook a charge that wasn't obvious before. |
| At travel search engines such as SideStep, the | | | | The profit margins for online travel sites are low, |
| results will include selections from airline sites, | | | | and they can be very creative in their fee |
| travel web sites, and other databases containing | | | | structure if you don't pay close attention. |
| flight, room and car rental availability. The | | | | THE HIDDEN LINK THAT CAN SAVE YOU |
| drawback is a more "spartan" search capability, | | | | MONEY |
| and you won't get many of the cool features | | | | Many of the travel web sites have a link on their |
| you'll find at a travel web site. | | | | page that allows you to become part of their |
| IT REALLY DOES PAY TO COMPARE AS MANY | | | | affiliate program for no cost. It's usually at the |
| AND AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN | | | | bottom and not obvious. By becoming an affiliate |
| If you want the cheapest fare or room, always | | | | you can earn a small commission for everybody |
| check out multiple sites before booking travel | | | | you refer to them that purchases a ticket, |
| online. Many travel web sites negotiate and | | | | reserves a room, or rents a car. |
| purchase large blocks of fares and rooms directly | | | | But before you rush out and quit your day job |
| from airlines and hotels, and then pass the savings | | | | and set yourself up as a home-based travel |
| onto consumers. But because the reduction varies | | | | agent, be aware you'll have to send thousands of |
| between sites, the quoted rate for the same | | | | people to make any decent money. But there's |
| seat on a flight, or room in a hotel, can vary | | | | an even better reason to become an affiliate. As |
| dramatically... and many times from day-to-day. | | | | an affiliate most sites will allow you to purchase |
| So it not only pays to check and compare other | | | | your own tickets and still get paid the commission. |
| sites, but if you've the time, to do it often. | | | | It's effectively a discount. Be sure to check the |
| TRAVEL WEB SITES DON'T ALWAYS GET THE | | | | fine print on the agreement just so you're familiar |
| BEST DEAL | | | | with the restrictions if any, and how they'll pay |
| Because of the competitiveness of the travel | | | | you. But if you do a lot of booking travel online |
| industry these days here's another worthwhile | | | | then check it out to see if it'll work for you. |
| step to take before you press that "submit" | | | | The travel industry continues to adjust to the |
| button at your chosen online booking site... hop | | | | advantages of the Internet. Billions of dollars have |
| over for a final check at the airline, hotel, or car | | | | been invested in online travel booking systems, |
| rental company web site for any special offers or | | | | and new players continue to enter the market |
| lower rates you may get if you book directly. | | | | every year. Armed with these tips you'll be better |
| Sometimes the best deals are reserved for their | | | | prepared to navigate through the maze to the |
| own online customers or preferred clients, and | | | | very best deal for you. And there's still that travel |
| you'll even avoid fees. | | | | agent in the mall if you just can't be bothered |
| BEWARE OF TRAVEL WEB SITE SERVICE AND | | | | with the whole game of booking travel online. |
| TRANSFER FEES | | | | |